OPINION
Wednesday morning, I had the opportunity to witness not only the opening of a new public safety facility in Aubrey, which you'll be able to read about in full in the Oct. 17 issue, but also to see almost all of the communities I love (plus a couple of extra) come together to support one another.
I saw not only the public officials and city staff from Aubrey, but also elected officials and staff members from Pilot Point, Krugerville, Cross Roads and Providence Village.
These communities, I have long said, are like cousins to one another.
There's not much distance on the map between Providence Village and Tioga.
When traffic cooperates, there's not much time between them, either.
It was a beautiful thing to see neighbors who rush to each other's aid in dangerous times stand side by side with their fellow public servants in celebration.
One tangible way the different communities help each other is through mutual aid, in the fire world, or agency assists, on the police side.
While people in both worlds aren't perfect, I have seen how much they care for the people they serve.
After the new ladder truck was pushed in, I stayed in the bays for a couple of minutes snapping pictures.
When I pointed to the fire equipment pooled on the ground next to the door for the truck, she explained that the first responders do that so they are instantly ready to jump into their boots and the truck to get to the call as soon as possible. That's dedication. I can't help but be personally grateful for the location of Aubrey's new Station 3 and the people who serve in it.
After all, that's now the closest fire station to my home in Providence Village.
We, as a society, are better off when we support each other.
If my town didn't have the agreement in place with Aubrey for police and fire services, both would be more expensive and would have fewer resources available for Providence Village residents because we would likely have to go it alone.
If we didn't have mutual aid agreements between fire departments, everyone who suffers from a major fire or a severe accident would be affected even more.
I'm grateful for leaders who are willing to work together and to support one another, in good times and in bad.
Having great partnerships make life richer and more rewarding, no matter the circumstances.
Abigail Allen is the Editor & Publisher of the Post-Signal. She can be reached at aallen@postsignal. com.
